Ferric organic compounds, uses thereof and methods of making same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a novel form of ferric organic compounds, including a form of ferric citrate, which are soluble over a wider range of pH, and which have a large active surface area. The ferric organic compounds of the present invention can be delivered effectively by oral route with better delivery to treat patients suffering from hyperphosphatemia, metabolic acidosis and other disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/711,679, filed Feb. 24, 2010 (now allowed), which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/206,981 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,851), filed Aug. 18, 2005, which is a Continuation-in-part of International App'l No. PCT/US2004/004646, filed Feb. 18, 2004, which claims benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/462,684, filed Apr. 15, 2003, and U.S. Ser. No. 60/447,690, filed Feb. 19, 2003. The entire contents and disclosures of the preceding applications are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to ferric organic compounds, such as ferric citrate, methods of making the ferric organic compounds, and uses of the ferric organic compounds in the treatment of various disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Uses of Iron Compounds

Ferric iron containing compounds are useful in the treatment of a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, hyperphosphatemia and metabolic acidosis. Previous studies and inventions have reported the use of ferric compounds in binding with dietary phosphates, and such ferric compounds are potentially useful for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in renal failure patients (U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,706, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,903,235, 2005; CN 1315174, 2001; Yang W. C., et al., Nephrol. Dial. Transplant 17:265:270 (2002)). Elevated amounts of phosphate in the blood can be removed by administering compounds such as ferric citrate. Once in solution, the ferric iron binds phosphate, and the ferric phosphate compounds precipitate in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in effective removal of dietary phosphate from the body. It is also believed that the absorbed citrate from ferric citrate is converted to bicarbonate which corrects metabolic acidosis, a condition common in renal failure patients.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,706 discloses the use of ferric containing compounds including ferric citrate and ferric acetate in the crystalline form, in an orally effective 1 gram dosage form, to bind to soluble dietary phosphate, causing precipitation of phosphate as ferric or ferrous phosphates in the gastrointestinal tract thus preventing oral absorption of soluble phosphates from dietary sources. Since the binding of ferric ions to soluble phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract would require dissolution of the orally administered ferric citrate, and since the rate of dissolution of crystalline ferric citrate is slow (over 10-12 hours at 37° C.), oral administration of a substantially large dose of 1 g of ferric citrate is required. A related Chinese patent application (CN 1315174) also discloses a similar use of ferric citrate and related compounds in an oral solution dosage form for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in renal failure patients.

2) Solution Chemistry of Fe(III) Compounds

Fe(III) is a lewis acid and is chemically less soluble in the stomach at pH normally below 5 than at intestinal pH normally above 7. The stomach is believed to be an important site of action for the dissolution of Fe(III) compounds. It is also believed that the stomach is also an important site of action for Fe(III) to mediate its action in binding to dietary phosphates, preventing phosphate from reaching the intestine and thus reducing the absorption of phosphates from the intestine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, a brief summary of the present invention is presented. Some simplifications and omission may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the present invention, but not to limit its scope. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention concepts will follow in later sections.

This invention relates to novel forms of ferric organic compounds, methods of making these compounds, and uses of these compounds in the treatment of various disorders, including, but not limited to, hyperphosphatemia and metabolic acidosis.

The novel forms of ferric organic compounds are synthesized by adding an alkaline metal hydroxide to a water soluble ferric iron salt. The alkaline metal hydroxide can comprise sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or any other suitable alkaline metal hydroxide. The soluble ferric iron salt can comprise ferric chloride hexahydrate, or any other suitable ferric iron salt. The alkaline metal hydroxide is added at a specific rate and temperature to form a uniform polyiron oxo colloidal suspension. The colloidal suspension is then washed, and solid crystalline organic acid is added at a specific temperature to form the ferric organic compound in solution. The organic acid can comprise citric acid, acetic acid, isocitric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, or any other suitable organic acid. The novel forms of the ferric organic compounds are precipitated out of solution using an organic solvent. The organic solvent can comprise ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, or any other suitable organic solvent. The resulting novel forms of the ferric organic compounds have an enhanced dissolution rate.

In one embodiment, the novel form of ferric organic compound comprises a novel form of ferric citrate. The novel form of ferric citrate is synthesized by adding sodium hydroxide at a specific rate and temperature to ferric chloride hexahydrate to form a uniform colloidal suspension of ferric hydroxide. Solid crystalline citric acid is added to the colloidal suspension and heated to a specific temperature range to form ferric citrate in solution. The novel form of ferric citrate is precipitated out of solution using an organic solvent.

The novel form of ferric citrate has the formula C₆H₅O₇Fe and has novel physical properties as determined by dissolution rates. The compound can have an intrinsic dissolution rate range, as determined by USP (United States Pharmacopeia) intrinsic dissolution assay in water, between 1.9 no 4.0 mg/cm²/min. The novel form of ferric citrate is more aqueously soluble in a wider range of pH than commercially available forms of ferric citrate. The novel form of ferric citrate can have a large active surface area compared to commercially available forms of ferric organic compounds or complexes.

Because it is more soluble, the novel form of ferric organic compounds, including novel forms of ferric citrate, can be used to more effectively deliver ferric organic compounds by the route of oral administration to patients suffering from illnesses which are responsive to treatment with ferric organic compounds, including, but not limited to, hyperphosphatemia and metabolic acidosis.

This invention relates to use of the novel form of ferric organic compounds, including novel forms of ferric citrate to treat patients suffering from disorders responsive to ferric organic compound treatment.

This invention also relates to methods of treating patients suffering from disorders responsive to ferric organic compound treatment by administering a therapeutically effective amount of ferric organic compound to the patients.

This invention further relates to a composition for treating hyperphosphatemia in a subject, comprising an effective amount of ferric citrate. In an embodiment, the subject is a human being. In another embodiment, the amount of ferric citrate effective in treating hyperphosphatemia is between 3 to 6 grams/day. In a further embodiment, the effective amount is 3 or 4.5 grams/day.

This invention further relates to a method for treating hyperphosphatemia in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of ferric citrate. In an embodiment, the subject is a human being. In another embodiment, the amount of ferric citrate effective in treating hyperphosphatemia in a subject is between 3 to 6 grams/day. In a further embodiment, the effective amount is 3 or 4.5 grams/day. It will be within the knowledge and abilities of a person having ordinary skill in the art to perform a dose-ranging study to determine the effective amount of ferric organic compounds or ferric citrate of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, but which should not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of the invention in any way:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram outlining the method of making novel forms of ferric organic compounds according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plot of the dissolution profile of the novel form of ferric citrate of the invention compared to a commercially available compound.

FIG. 3 is an isotherm graph of volume adsorbed vs. relative pressure demonstrating BET active surface area of the novel form of ferric citrate. Produced by Coulter SA 3100 (Serial. No. z11017; Software Version. 2.13; Elapsed time: 29 min.; Outgas time: 60 min.; Outgas temperature: 40° C.)

FIG. 4 is an X-ray diffraction spectra of the novel form of ferric citrate. Range: 4.00 to 40.00 (Deg); Step Scan Rate: 0.02 Deg/min.

FIG. 5 is a thermogravimetric analysis of the novel form of ferric citrate. Method: Heating 10° C./MIN, N2@40CC/MIN; Size: 10.5480 mg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

This invention provides a method of synthesizing a form of ferric organic compound which comprises obtaining a ferric iron salt; adding an alkaline metal hydroxide to the ferric iron salt at a rate and temperature effective to produce a uniform polyiron oxo suspension; isolating a precipitate from the suspension; adding an organic acid to the precipitate; forming a ferric-organic acid solution by heating the organic acid and the precipitate; and precipitating the form of ferric organic compound from the ferric-organic acid solution by adding an organic solvent to the solution.

In an embodiment, the alkaline metal hydroxide is added at a rate of less than 20 ml/min. In another embodiment, the alkaline metal hydroxide is added at a rate of between about 10 ml/min. and about 20 ml/min. In a preferred embodiment, a nominal rate of 10 to 20 ml/min is preferred.

In an embodiment, the alkaline metal hydroxide is added to the ferric iron salt at a temperature of less than 40° C. In another embodiment, the alkaline metal hydxoxide is added to the ferric iron salt at a temperature between about 10° C. and about 40° C. In a preferred embodiment, a nominal temperature of 30° C. is preferred.

In an embodiment, heating the organic acid and the precipitate comprises heating the organic acid and the precipitate to a temperature between about 75° C. to about 95° C. In a preferred embodiment, the range is between about 80° C. and about 90° C. In another preferred embodiment, a nominal temperature of 85° C. is preferred. In an embodiment, precipitating the form of ferric organic compound from the ferric-organic acid solution by adding an organic solvent to the solution comprises cooling the ferric-organic acid solution to less than 30° C. before adding the organic solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the ferric-organic acid solution is cooled to a nominal temperature of 20° C. In an embodiment, cooling the ferric-organic acid solution comprises cooling the ferric-organic acid solution to a temperature between about 10° C. and about 30° C. In a preferred embodiment, the ferric-organic acid solution is cooled to a nominal temperature of 20° C.

In an embodiment, the ferric iron salt comprises ferric chloride hexahydrate.

In an embodiment, the organic acid includes but is not limited to succinic acid, fumaric acid or tartaric acid. In another embodiment, the organic acid comprises citric acid.

In an embodiment, the alkaline metal hydroxide includes but is not limited to sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. In another embodiment, the alkaline metal hydroxide comprises sodium hydroxide.

In an embodiment, the organic solvent includes but is not limited to ethanol, methanol, butanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone or tetrahydrofuran.

This invention provides a method of synthesizing a form of ferric citrate which comprises obtaining ferric chloride hexahydrate; adding sodium hydroxide to the ferric chloride hexahydrate at a rate and temperature effective to produce a uniform polyiron oxo suspension; isolating a precipitate from the suspension; adding crystalline citric acid to the precipitate; forming a ferric-citric acid solution by heating the citric acid and the precipitate; and precipitating the form of ferric citrate from the ferric-citric acid solution by adding an organic solvent to the solution.

In an embodiment, sodium hydroxide is added to ferric chloride hexahydrate at a rate of less than 20 ml/min. In another embodiment, sodium hydroxide is added to ferric chloride hexahydrate at a rate of between about 10 ml/min and about 20 ml/min. In a preferred embodiment, a nominal rate of 10 to 20 ml/min is preferred.

In an embodiment, sodium hydroxide is added to ferric chloride hexahydrate at a temperature of less than 40° C. In another embodiment, sodium hydroxide is added to ferric chloride hexahydrate at a temperature between about 10° C. and about 40° C. In a preferred embodiment, a nominal temperature of 30° C. is preferred.

In an embodiment, the ferric-citric acid solution is formed by heating the citric acid and the precipitate to a temperature between about 75° C. to about 95° C. In a preferred embodiment, the range is between about 80° C. and about 90° C. In another preferred embodiment, a nominal temperature of 85° C. is preferred.

In an embodiment, precipitating the form of ferric citrate from the ferric-citric acid solution by adding an organic solvent to the solution comprises cooling the ferric-citric acid solution to less than 30° C. before adding the organic solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the ferric-organic acid solution is cooled to a nominal temperature of 20° C.

In an embodiment, cooling the ferric-citric acid solution comprises cooling the ferric-citric acid solution to a temperature between about 10° C. and about 30° C. In a preferred embodiment, the ferric-organic acid solution is cooled to a nominal temperature of 20° C.

In an embodiment, the organic solvent includes but is not limited to ethanol, methanol, butanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone or tetrahydrofuran.

This invention provides a use of a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as describe above for treating a subject suffering from a disorder responsive to ferric organic compound therapy. In an embodiment, the subject is a human being. In another embodiment, the disorder includes but is not limited to hyperphosphatemia or metabolic acidosis. Chen et al., New Phosphate Binding Agent: Ferric Compounds. J Am Soc Nephrol. 10(6):1274-80, 1999, reported that Ferric salts, such as ferric citrate, decrease net intestinal phosphate absorption. Yang et al., An open-label, crossover study of a new phosphate-binding agent in haemodialysis patients: ferric citrate. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 17(2):265-70, 2002, reported that ferric citrate is effective and well tolerated as a treatment for hyperphosphatemia in patients.

This invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a disorder responsive to ferric organic compound therapy comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a ferric organic compound as described above. In an embodiment, the subject is a human being. In another embodiment, the ferric organic compound is ferric citrate. In a further embodiment, the disorder includes but is not limited to hyperphosphatemia or metabolic acidosis.

This invention provides a form of a ferric organic compound having an enhanced dissolution rate. In an embodiment, the said organic compound includes but is not limited to citric acid, acetic acid, isocitric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid or other related organic compounds. In another embodiment, the said ferric organic compound has a large active surface area compared to conventional ferric organic compounds.

This invention provides a form of ferric citrate having the formula C₆H₅O₇Fe and/or having physical properties as determined by dissolution rates. In an embodiment, the dissolution rate as determined by USP intrinsic dissolution assay in water, is between 1.9 to 4.0 mg/cm2/min.

This invention provides a form of ferric citrate having a BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller) active surface area exceeding 16 sq·m/g and a BET active surface area isotherm as shown in FIG. 3.

This invention provides a form of ferric citrate having the x-ray diffraction patter shown in FIG. 4

This invention provides a form of ferric citrate having three transition temperatures as determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and having a TGA profile as shown in FIG. 5.

This invention provides a form of ferric citrate, wherein the form of ferric citrate has a large active surface area compared to conventional ferric organic compound complexes.

This invention provides a use of a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate to treat a subject suffering from a disorder responsive to ferric organic compound therapy. In an embodiment, the disorder includes but is not limited to hyperphosphatemia or metabolic acidosis.

This invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a disorder responsive to ferric organic compound therapy comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as described above. In an embodiment, the disorder includes but is not limited to hyperphosphatemia or metabolic acidosis.

This invention provides a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as describe above, wherein said form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate is in an orally administrable form which includes, but is not limited to, a powder, a suspension, an emulsion, a capsule, a granule, a troche, a pill, a liquid, a spirit, or a syrup. In an embodiment, the ferric organic compound or ferric citrate is in a form or in an acceptable carrier suitable for topical, sublingual, parenteral or gastrointestinal administration, or aerosolization.

This invention provides a composition comprising a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as describe above and a suitable carrier.

As used herein, the term suitable carrier includes, but not limited to, any suitable carrier for administering pharmaceutical compositions known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The type of carrier will vary depending on the mode of administration.

With regards to compositions for parenteral administration (e.g. subcutaneous injections), the term suitable carrier includes but not limited to water, saline, alcohol, a fat, a wax or a buffer.

With regards to compositions for oral administration, the term suitable carrier includes but not limited to any of the above carriers or a solid carrier, such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose, and magnesium carbonate.

Biodegradable microspheres (e.g., polylactate polyglycolate) may also be employed as carriers for the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention.

This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as describe above and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises a controlled release formulation.

This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a form of ferric organic compound or ferric citrate as describe above for treating disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy. In an embodiment, the disorder includes but is not limited to hyperphosphatemia and metabolic acidosis.

As used herein, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers includes, but is not limited to, a liquid, an aerosol, a capsule, a tablet, a pill, a powder, a gel, an ointment, a cream, a granule, water, phosphate buffered saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, serum-containing solutions, Hank's solution, other aqueous physiologically balanced solutions, oils, esters, glycols, biocompatible polymers, polymeric matrices, capsules, microcapsules, microparticles, bolus preparations, osmotic pumps, diffusion devices, liposomes, lipospheres, cells or cellular membranes.

1. General Method of Synthesis of Novel Forms of Ferric Organic Compounds

Referring to FIG. 1, synthesis scheme 10 is a general method for synthesizing novel forms of ferric organic compounds. The starting materials, as indicated in box 20, comprise soluble ferric iron salts. The soluble ferric iron salts can comprise ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃6H₂O), as indicated in box 21, or any other suitable soluble ferric iron salt. Next, an alkaline metal hydroxide (box 30) is added at a specific rate and temperature to the soluble ferric iron salt. The addition of the alkaline metal hydroxide at a specific rate, preferably between about 10 ml/min and about 20 ml/min, and temperature range, preferably below 40° C., results in the formation of a uniform polyiron oxo colloidal suspension. The alkaline metal hydroxide can comprise sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or any other suitable alkaline metal hydroxide as indicated in box 31. The colloidal suspension precipitate is collected and rinsed (box 40) with distilled water to remove any soluble impurities. After rinsing, the precipitate is re-suspended and, as indicated in box 50, crystalline organic acid is added to the precipitate and heated to a particular temperature range, preferably between about 80° C. to about 90° C. The organic acid can comprise any suitable organic acid. Box 51 lists some of the possible organic acids which can be used, including, but not limited to, citric acid, acetic acid, isocitric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, and tartaric acid. The addition of the organic acid allows the acid to form complexes with the precipitate in solution. At box 60, the ferric organic compound is precipitated out of solution with an organic solvent to form a novel form of ferric organic compound (box 70). Various organic solvents can be used, including, but not limited to, the solvents described in box 61, such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, or any other suitable organic solvent.

2. Solubility Profile of Novel Forms of Ferric Organic Compounds

The inventors have found that the novel forms of ferric organic compounds produced according to the methods described above are more soluble than commercially available ferric organic compounds, over a wider range of pH levels. This increase in solubility of the novel ferric organic compounds is believed to be a result of the unique significantly large active surface area of the novel forms of ferric organic compounds. For example, at pH 8.0, the intrinsic dissolution rate of novel form of ferric citrate is 3.08 times greater than the commercially available ferric citrate. See Table 3.

3. Use of Novel Forms of Ferric Organic Compounds in the Treatment of Disorders

The novel forms of ferric organic compounds are useful in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia, metabolic acidosis, and any other disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy. Because the novel forms of ferric organic compounds are more soluble than commercially available ferric organic compounds, smaller amounts of the ferric organic compounds can be used to effectively treat patients suffering from such disorders.

Improved aqueous solubility is particularly relevant to the use of the novel forms of ferric organic compounds in the treatment of disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy. Because the novel forms of ferric organic compounds are more soluble, they will be more effective when taken orally, and therefore can be taken in lower doses. The novel forms of ferric organic compounds are more soluble over a wider pH range than commercially available ferric organic compounds, therefore the novel forms of ferric organic compounds can be more effective by being soluble in the small intestine. For example, in an experiment simulating the alkaline condition in the small intestine, the novel form of ferric citrate showed better dissolution rate than the commercially available ferric citrate. It is suggested that the novel form of ferric citrate can be more effective by being more soluble in the small intestine. See Table 3. As a result, patients can take lower doses of medication with lower incidences of side effects.

In one embodiment of the invention, the novel form of ferric citrate has a significantly higher rate of aqueous solubility under physiological conditions than commercially available forms of ferric citrate, and therefore the novel form is believed to provide a significant improvement in the orally effective use of ferric citrate at a reduced dosage. By reducing the orally effective dose of ferric citrate, it is believed that the novel form of ferric citrate will provide a lower incidence of ulcerative gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with commercially available ferric citrate compounds. In addition, it is believed that the increased rate of dissolution of the novel form of ferric citrate will provide a more rapid onset of action in binding to dietary phosphate.

The novel forms of ferric organic compounds can be administered in a number of forms, including orally administrable forms, which can comprise the novel forms of ferric organic compounds alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The orally administrable form includes, but is not limited to, a tablet, a powder, a suspension, an emulsion, a capsule, a granule, a troche, a pill, a liquid, a spirit, or a syrup. The composition can be administered to human beings or other animals suffering from illnesses responsive to ferric organic compound therapy.

EXAMPLES

In examples which are intended to illustrate embodiments of the invention but which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention:

1) Method of Making a Novel Form of Ferric Citrate

In one embodiment of the invention, the starting materials for making a novel form of ferric citrate comprise a 1.85M solution of ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃6H₂O). A volume of 5M sodium hydroxide necessary to produce a 1:3 ratio of ferric iron to hydroxide ion is added to the ferric chloride hexahydrate solution at a rate of less than 20 ml per minute, preferably between about 10 ml per minute and about 20 ml per minute. The temperature of the mixture is maintained below 40° C., preferably between about 10° C. to about 40° C., while the sodium hydroxide is added to form a polyiron oxide colloidal suspension of ferric hydroxide. The pH of the suspension is measured while the sodium hydroxide is added. Once the pH is above 7.0, the suspension is cooled until it is less than 30° C., preferably between about 10° C. to about 30° C. The suspension is then filtered through a 1 mm pore filter to breakup aggregates and remove large particles of ferric hydroxide precipitate. The filtered ferric hydroxide suspension is then centrifuged. The supernatant is discarded, then the precipitated ferric hydroxide is centrifuged again to remove any remaining supernatant. The ferric hydroxide precipitate is then resuspended with distilled water. The centrifugation-resuspension steps are repeated two more times to wash the ferric hydroxide precipitate and remove water soluble impurities. The resulting ferric hydroxide precipitate is then homogenized.

An amount of citric acid necessary to produce a 1:1 ratio of ferric iron to citrate is added to the precipitate. The mixture is heated to between about 80° C. to about 90° C. in an oil bath until the color of the mixture changes from orange-brown to a clear black-brown, or until all of the ferric hydroxide precipitate is dissolved. The reaction is cooled until it is less than 30° C., preferably between about 10° C. to about 30° C., and the pH is measured to determine that it is within 0.8 and 1.5. The reaction is centrifuged, and the supernatant is collected.

The novel form of ferric citrate is precipitated from the supernatant by adding 5 volumes of organic solvent. Various organic solvents can be used, including ethanol, methanol, butanol, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or tetrahydrofuran. Table 1 below lists the relative amounts of ferric citrate formed in solution using various solvents. Once the solvent is added, the mixture is stirred until a light beige precipitate forms. The suspension is centrifuged and the supernatant is discarded. The precipitate is washed and centrifuged with the solvent two more times. The precipitate is then dried in a vacuum oven for 8 to 16 hours at ambient temperature or by any other suitable industrial processes such as fluidized-bed drying. The dried precipitate is ground with a mortar and pestle and dried for another 8 to 24 hours at ambient temperature. The fine precipitate is finely ground by milling again and screened through a 45 mesh size (35 micron) sieve. The novel form of ferric citrate powder is dried in the vacuum oven again or fluidized-bed drying again and dried at ambient temperature until 1 hour of drying leads to less than 0.25% loss in weight.

TABLE 1 Comparison of relative percentage of novel form of ferric citrate formed by different organic solvents Relative % of Novel Form of Ferric Solvent Citrate Formed in Solution ferric citrate 100 isopropyl alcohol 89.7 tetrahydrofuran 90.6 butanol 99.8 methanol 101.2 acetone 99.8 ethanol 95.8

The following chemical equations represent the chemical reactions described in the specific embodiment of the method for making the novel form of ferric citrate: FeCl₃+3NaOH→Fe(OH)₃+3NaCl  (1) Fe(OH)₃+C₆H₈O₇→Fe(C₆H₅O₇)+3H₂O  (2)

2) Physical Properties of Novel Form of Ferric Citrate

The chemical purity of the novel form of ferric citrate was ascertained by negative-ion liquid chromatography or mass spectrometry (LC/MS) flow-injection method which provided measurement of all mass ions present in solution. Specifically, the mass ions at m/z 243.6 for the novel form of ferric citrate and at m/z 190.6 for citric acid amongst other related and non-related ions in solution were observed. The use of LC/MS analysis also enabled the observation of a number of ferric citrate related and non-related substances and permitted the determination of the relative purity of the novel form of ferric citrate amongst the minor impurities. Such information is critical for application of the novel form of ferric citrate as pharmaceutical grade material. The representative chemical purity of the novel form of ferric citrate from three process batches are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Representative chemical purity of novel form of ferric citrate Components of Novel form of Ferric citrate Percent w/w anhydrous basis Purity of solid state 99.4% 99.6% 99.5% ferric citrate Assay content purity of 73.1% 78.3% 76.2% ferric citrate and ferric citrate water adduct in solution state Assay content of citric 10.3% 10.0% 8.0% acid in solution state Assay content of ferric 26.3% 21.3% 23.3% citrate related substances in solution state Assay content of ferric 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% citrate non-related substances in solution state

The intrinsic dissolution rates of commercially available ferric citrate were compared with the novel form of ferric citrate. The intrinsic dissolution rate is defined as the dissolution rate of pure substances under the condition of constant surface area. The dissolution rate and bioavailability of a drug substance is influence by its solid state properties: crystallinity, amorphism, polymorphism, hydration, solvation, particle size and particle surface area. The measured intrinsic dissolution rate is dependent on these solid-state properties and is typically determined by exposing a constant surface area of a material to an appropriate dissolution medium while maintaining constant temperature, stirring rate, and pH. The intrinsic dissolution rates are presented in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Intrinsic dissolution rates of ferric citrate at 37° C. in solutions of pH 8 Mean Rate of Intrinsic Intrinsic Acetone Dissolution Dissolution Addition Rates Rates Sample (ml/min) (mg/cm2/min) (mg/cm2/min) RFS-12 (sigma/ 10.0 0.83 0.83 commercially available) STM-134 10.0 1.88 3.08 (reference material) PAN031203A 10.0 3.82 (experimental batch 1) PAN031203B 10.0 4.00 (experimental batch 2) PAN031203C 9.5 2.68 (expermental batch 3) PAN031203D 40 2.95 (experimental batch 4) PAN031203E 4.4 3.13 (experimental batch 5)

FIG. 2 is a graph which compares the dissolution profile of the novel form of ferric citrate to the dissolution profile of commercially available ferric citrate compounds.

The intrinsic dissolution rates of the novel form of ferric citrate produced by the method of the invention, on average, are approximately 3.8 times greater than that determined for a commercially available ferric citrate material. This increase in dissolution rate of the novel form of ferric citrate is believed to be a result of the significantly large active surface area of the novel form of ferric citrate compared to commercially available materials. For example, the BET active surface area of novel form of ferric citrate is at least 16 times larger than the commercially available ferric citrate. See Table 4.

A BET active surface area isotherm of the novel form of ferric citrate is shown in FIG. 3. The analysis of active surface area is based on BET theory which describes the phenomenon of mass and energy interaction and phase changes during gas adsorption onto solid surfaces and in pore spaces. In BET active surface area measurement, the volume of a monolayer of gas is determined which allows the surface area of the sample to be determined using the area occupied by a single layer of adsorbed gas molecule. Table 4 is a comparison of the active surface area of the novel form of ferric citrate compared to the active surface area of commercially available ferric citrate compounds.

TABLE 4 BET active surface areas of various forms of ferric citrate Mean BET Dissolution Active Rates Surface Sample (mg/cm2/min) Area RFS-12-1 (sigma/commercially 0.76 0.61 available) RFS-12-2 (sigma/commercially available) STM-134-1 (reference material 1) 2.47 16.17 STM-134-2 (reference material 2) STM-182-1 (lab-scale 500 g batch 1) 2.61 19.85 STM-182-2 (lab-scale 500 g batch 2)

The x-ray diffraction spectra of the novel form of ferric citrate are presented in FIG. 4, showing diffraction features characteristics of crystalline materials. The thermogravimetric analysis of the novel form of ferric citrate is presented in FIG. 5, showing heat absorption isotherms characteristics of the novel material.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is
 1. An orally administrable form of ferric citrate, prepared from ferric citrate having a BET active surface area greater than about 16 sq. m/g.
 2. The orally administrable form of claim 1, wherein the ferric citrate has an intrinsic dissolution rate of 1.88 - 4.0 mg/cm²/min.
 3. The orally administrable form of claim 1, wherein the BET active surface area ranges from about 16 sq. m/g to about 20 sq. m/g.
 4. The orally administrable form of claim 1, wherein the ferric citrate has the formula C₆H₅O₇Fe.
 5. The orally administrable form of claim 1, wherein the orally administrable form is a tablet. 